Differentiation Of Rat Hepatocytes Research Articles

β-Catenin regulation during matrigel-induced rat hepatocyte differentiation

Hepatocytes in primary cultures de-differentiate and re-differentiate following addition of Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm mouse sarcoma (matrigel) to the cultures. The Wnt/beta-catenin pathway has been shown to be important in liver growth and development. Here, we investigate changes in beta-catenin and its mechanism, during matrigel-induced hepatocyte differentiation. Primary rat hepatocytes were cultured for 8 days, and matrigel was added to half of the cultures. Total and nuclear protein and total RNA were extracted at different days of culture and examined for beta-catenin and other Wnt pathway components. A significant increase in total beta-catenin protein was observed upon matrigel addition, during hepatocyte differentiation, despite a decrease in beta-catenin and frizzled-1 (Wnt receptor) expression. A concurrent decrease in the glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK3beta), axin, and ser45/thr41-phosphorylated beta-catenin proteins was observed in matrigel-treated cultures, implying decreased degradation of beta-catenin. Interestingly, a decrease in nuclear beta-catenin and total active beta-catenin was observed in the presence of matrigel. Matrigel also induced an increased association of beta-catenin with Met (hepatocyte growth factor receptor), whereas association with E-cadherin remained unchanged. This coexisted with decreased beta-catenin tyrosine phosphorylation. Thus, beta-catenin undergoes multifactorial regulation during matrigel-induced hepatocyte differentiation and maturation; this induces its stabilization and membrane translocation, possibly contributing to hepatocyte differentiation.

IS-5 Hypoxia-hyperoxia stress affects fetal rat hepatocyte differentiation

IS-5 Hypoxia-hyperoxia stress affects fetal rat hepatocyte differentiation

Annexin expressions are temporally and spatially regulated during rat hepatocyte differentiation.

Annexin (Anx) 1, 2, 5, and 6 expressions were determined at the transcriptional and translational levels in the rat hepatocytes from gestational day 15 to postnatal day 17. Dramatic shifts were observed in Anx 1 and 2 levels, which peaked at day 1 and gestational day 20, respectively, and reached low levels thereafter. However, Anx 5 and 6 rates were more constant. Prenatal administration of dexamethasone (dex) resulted in a decrease of Anx 1 mRNA levels, and a strong increase in Anx 2 mRNA contents. In adult hepatocytes cultured in the presence of EGF or HGF, Anx 1 and 2 expressions resumed. By immunohistochemistry, Anx 1 was detected only in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes of 1- to 3-day-old rats, Anx 2 and 6 both exhibited a redistribution from the cytoplasm toward the plasma membrane, and Anx 5 was present in the nucleus, cytoplasm, and plasma membrane. Thus, Anx 1, 2, 5, and 6 have individual modes of expression and localization in the differentiating hepatocytes, where they might play unique roles at well defined phases of liver ontogeny.

Enhanced proliferation and differentiation of rat hepatocytes cultured with bone marrow stromal cells.

Liver transplantation is the only clinically effective method of treating acute liver failure. However, wider application of this therapeutic modality is restricted primarily by shortage of donor organs. In the search for alternative methods of liver replacement therapy, investigators have focused on transplantation of normal allogeneic hepatocytes and on the development of liver support systems utilizing isolated hepatocytes. Since all human livers suitable for cell harvest are being used for transplantation, hepatocyte therapy using human tissue would require growing of cells in vitro. Unfortunately, although hepatocytes have tremendous capacity to proliferate in vivo, their ability to grow in culture is severely limited. Stromal cells from bone marrow and other blood-forming organs have been found to support hematopoiesis. In this paper, we show that bone marrow-derived stromal cells (BMSCs) enhance proliferation and support differentiation of rat hepatocytes in culture. Further, we demonstrate that in hepatocyte/BMSC co-cultures, clonal expansion of small hepatocytes (SH) is increased. Using semipermeable membrane cultures, we established that direct cell-cell contact is necessary for stimulation of cell proliferation. We also show that BMSCs which are in direct contact with hepatocytes and SH colonies express Jagged1. This suggests a potential role for Notch signaling in the observed effects. Finally, we present evidence that the expression and activity of liver specific transcription factors, CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins and liver specific key enzymes such as tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase, are improved in hepatocyte/BMSC co-cultures. In conclusion, results of this study indicate that BMSCs could facilitate proliferation and differentiation of primary rat hepatocytes and their progenitors (SH) in vitro.

Differential Expression and Distribution of Focal Adhesion and Cell Adhesion Molecules in Rat Hepatocyte Differentiation

Hepatocytes in primary culture enter into clonal proliferation in the chemically defined hepatocyte growth medium in the presence of hepatocyte growth factor and epidermal growth factor. Hepatocyte proliferation is associated with loss of differentiated gene expression. Overlay of matrix derived from Engelbreth–Holm–Swarm mouse sarcoma (Matrigel) on proliferating hepatocytes induces reexpression of the hepatic differentiation marker genes. To explore the role of matrix in the differentiation process of hepatocytes, we examined the mRNAs of fibronectin, vitronectin, and entactin in proliferating hepatocytes and Matrigel-treated hepatocytes. Fibronectin mRNA increased in proliferating hepatocytes at days 2–10 and then decreased; however, vitronectin mRNA disappeared in proliferating hepatocytes and was reexpressed in Matrigel-treated hepatocytes. We also found that focal adhesion kinase and paxillin were strongly increased in Matrigel-treated hepatocytes, and E-cadherin and β-catenin slightly increased in Matrigel-treated hepatocytes, suggesting that both cell-to-extracellular matrix and cell-to-cell interactions may be an essential part of hepatocyte differentiation. To evaluate the distribution of focal adhesion associated molecules and cell-to-cell adhesion molecules, Triton X-100 soluble and insoluble fractions were examined at days 8, 9, 10, and 11 in proliferating hepatocytes and Matrigel-treated cells. We found that E-cadherin in Triton X-100 insoluble fractions dramatically decreased in Matrigel-treated hepatocytes; however, β-catenin strongly increased in Triton X-100 soluble fractions of Matrigel-treated hepatocytes. These results suggest that the distribution of both focal adhesion associated molecules and cell adhesion molecules are reorganized during the process of differentiation induced by overlay of Matrigel.

Growth and Differentiation of Rat Hepatocytes: Changes in Transcription Factors HNF-3, HNF-4, STAT-3, and STAT-5

The liver enriched transcription factors HNF-3 and HNF-4 are known to play major roles in development and differentiation of hepatocytes. STAT-3 and STAT-5 are signaling peptides activated by a variety of cytokines and growth factors including HGF and EGF. Their role in hepatocyte growth and differentiation is yet to be determined. We examined protein expression and DNA binding activities of these transcription factors in a hepatocyte culture system in which the hepatocytes first de-differentiate and proliferate. Overlaying proliferating hepatocytes with EHS-matrix led to an increase in HNF-4 protein and DNA-binding activity. STAT-5 DNA binding activity was only slightly effected by EHS-matrix. HNF-3 and STAT-3 DNA-binding activities were reduced in the presence of EHS-matrix. This is consistent with the role of HNF-3 as the major initiating transcription factor involved in embryonic liver development and suggests, that STAT-3 might also play a role in growth and differentiation of hepatocytes.

Co-expression of the proprotein-processing endoprotease furin and its substrate transforming growth factor β1 and the differentiation of rat hepatocytes

Furin, a member of the yeast Kex2 endoprotease family, converts a number of proproteins to their active forms. The liver produces a number of proproteins having a furin-cleavable site; thus, furin may be involved in growth and differentiation both in the partially hepatectomized liver and in primary cultured hepatocytes. Furin mRNA levels are elevated in tissues regenerated from partially hepatectomized rat liver. In primary culture of rat hepatocytes, furin expression increases gradually with time, and its expression is greatly enhanced by transforming growth factor β1, whose processing from the precursor requires cleavage by furin. Thus, we suggest that the regeneration and differentiation of hepatocytes is dependent upon the co-elevation of furin and transforming growth factor β1 mRNAs.

Spatial distribution of cytoskeleton intermediate filaments during fetal rat hepatocyte differentiation

Spatial distribution of cytoskeleton intermediate filaments during fetal rat hepatocyte differentiation

Spatial distribution of cytoskeleton intermediate filaments during fetal rat hepatocyte differentiation

Spatial distribution of cytoskeleton intermediate filaments during fetal rat hepatocyte differentiation

Spatial distribution of cytoskeleton intermediate filaments during fetal rat hepatocyte differentiation.

The construction of the liver parenchyma throughout fetal development depends on the elaboration of intercellular contacts between epithelial cells and between epithelial and mesenchymal cells. During this time, the spatial distribution of cytokeratins in hepatocytes shows a striking evolution as demonstrated by confocal microscopy and image analysis. In the early stages of fetal rat development, the liver is mainly a hematopoietic organ and hepatocytes represent fewer than 40% of all liver cells. At this time, cytokeratin filaments are scarce and are randomly distributed inside the cytoplasm. A coexpression of desmin and cytokeratin is found in some cells. Intercellular contacts between epithelial and mesenchymal cells are more numerous than between epithelial cells. Later in development, hepatocytes are arranged in a "muralium duplex" architecture (two-cell-thick sheets). Contacts between hepatocytes become more numerous and bile canaliculi become well developed. The density of cytokeratin filaments increases and appears to be very high near the bile canaliculi. In adult liver, hepatocytes are arranged in a "muralium simplex" architecture. Cytokeratin filaments show a symmetrical distribution in relation to the nuclear region. The highest density of filaments is found near the cytoplasmic membrane. Variations of the spatial distribution of intermediate filaments throughout hepatocyte differentiation were investigated in a pilot study using computerized image analysis. We found significant differences between the filament networks in fetal and adult hepatocytes.

Covalent grafting of fibronectin and asialofetuin at surface of poly(ethylene terephthalate) track-etched membranes improves adhesion but not differentiation of rat hepatocytes.

The adhesion and differentiation of rat hepatocytes onto track-etched poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) membranes were studied. Native or [3H]methylated fibronectin (FN) or asialofetuin (ASF) were immobilized onto oxidized PET membranes, preactivated or not with carbodiimide (WSC). Radiochemical assay and ELISA indicated that upon washing in SDS or in serum-containing medium, significantly less FN was released from WSC-activated membranes that from unactivated ones. These differences were abolished when the NH2 functions of FN were fully acetylated, suggesting that part of FN was covalently grafted on WSC-activated PET. Although weaker, a comparable effect was observed with ASF. Hepatocytes adhered faster on membranes on which FN was grafted than adsorbed, reaching values comparable to collagen-coated PET; after 24 h these differences decreased. Experiments with cycloheximide or at 4 degrees C suggested that this results from secretion of extracellular matrix adsorbing on PET. Phase I or II biotransformation activities of cells cultured for 1-4 days on FN-, ASF-, or collagen-treated substrates were not significantly different. These results indicate that stable immobilization of FN (covalent grafting) onto PET membranes significantly accelerates adhesion of hepatocytes but does not affect their differentiation. This may result from a progressive surface reconditioning by neosynthesized extracellular matrix.

Covalent grafting of fibronectin and asialofetuin at surface of poly(ethylene terephthalate) track‐etched membranes improves adhesion but not differentiation of rat hepatocytes

The adhesion and differentiation of rat hepatocytes onto track-etched poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) membranes were studied. Native or [3H]methylated fibronectin (FN) or asialofetuin (ASF) were immobilized onto oxidized PET membranes, preactivated or not with carbodiimide (WSC). Radiochemical assay and ELISA indicated that upon washing in SDS or in serum-containing medium, significantly less FN was released from WSC-activated membranes than from unactivated ones. These differences were abolished when the NH2 functions of FN were fully acetylated, suggesting that part of FN was covalently grafted on WSC-activated PET. Although weaker, a comparable effect was observed with ASF. Hepatocytes adhered faster on membranes on which FN was grafted than adsorbed, reaching values comparable to collagen-coated PET; after 24 h these differences decreased. Experiments with cycloheximide or at 4°C suggested that this results from secretion of extracellular matrix adsorbing on PET. Phase I or II biotransformation activities of cells cultured for 1–4 days on FN-, ASF-, or collagen-treated substrates were not significantly different. These results indicate that stable immobilization of FN (covalent grafting) onto PET membranes significantly accelerates adhesion of hepatocytes but does not affect their differentiation. This may result from a progressive surface reconditioning by neosynthesized extracellular matrix. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

In vitro induction of neonatal rat hepatocytes by direct contact with adult rat hepatocytes

Immunocytochemical staining of tryptophan 2, 3-dioxygenase (TO, EC 1.13.11.11), which is a typical marker of terminal differentiation of rat hepatocytes, showed that TO was expressed as early as the first day after birth by a few hepatocytes, and that the number of hepatocytes expressing TO gradually increased during early neonatal development. In contrast, immature hepatocytes grew actively in culture even without growth factors and serum, showing a labelling index with [ 3H]thymidine of over 80% just after birth, but their ability to show autonomous growth decreased rapidly during postnatal development. Double staining of hepatocytes from neonatal rats indicated that hepatocytes showing DNA synthesis were distinct from those expressing TO, suggesting that immature cells proliferate, but do not express TO, and then become fully differentiated expressing TO, but not proliferating any more. On the contrary, albumin was fully expressed in most hepatocytes of 0-day-old rats, in which the hepatocytes were still growing. When immature hepatocytes without TO from 0-day-old rats were cultured on a feeder layer of adult rat hepatocytes for 3.5 days, their expression of TO increased rapidly to almost the adult level (over 70% of the cells became TO-positive). Conversely, this feeder layer strongly inhibited autonomous growth of the neonatal rat hepatocytes. Other feeder layers, such as non-parenchymal liver cells of adult rats, Reuber hepatoma, and Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts, had no effect on the reciprocal changes of terminal differentiation and autonomous growth of immature rat hepatocytes. A feeder layer of dead adult rat hepatocytes, obtained by treating the cells with cytosine arabinoside for 24 h or drying them at 37 °C, had the same ability as a feeder layer of living cells to induce cytodifferentiation of immature cells. When the dead feeder layer was treated with 1 N HCl or digested with 0.1% trypsin, its ability to induce differentiation was almost completely lost. These results suggest that a cell surface component of adult rat hepatocytes, probably an acid-labile protein, controls terminal differentiation and growth of immature hepatocytes.

A noncollagenous matrix for attachment of rat hepatocytes in culture.

Adult rat hepatocytes efficiently attach to intact connective tissue fibers prepared from normal rat liver; this material has been given the name of "biomatrix". The cells remain alive and differentiated for at least 4 months in culture. The liver biomatrix contains both collagen and noncollagenous glycoproteins. Heretofore, the functions of the different components of the biomatrix in facilitating cell adhesion and promoting survival and differentiation of rat hepatocytes have not been investigated. We now report on an aggregate of glycoproteins which were with dilute acetic acid from liver biomatrix and which facilitate hepatocyte adhesion to plastic dishes and collagen. One protein in the extract, with a molecular weight larger than 300,000, was selectively immunoprecipitated with an antibody prepared against the extract and immunoadsorbed to glutaraldehyde-cross-linked rat serum. The antibody did not cross-react with cold-insoluble globulin and selectively inhibited cell attachment. The protein of the molecular weight of 300,000 appears to be specific for liver, since similar extracts prepared from rat lung, kidney, and heart biomatrices did not cross-react with the antibody. Furthermore, the latter extracts did not facilitate cell attachment above values obtained with plain culture dishes. The results suggest that glycoproteins in the biomatrix, which are antigenically distinct from fibronectin, can mediate attachment of rat hepatocytes to plastic dishes and collagen.

Hepatocyte differentiation during early fetal development in the rat

Rat hepatocyte differentiation between day 12 and 19 of fetal life was studied by electron microscopy. The cytoplasmic structures involved in synthetic and secretory function, i.e., rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, appear to be the first to differentiate, and their development is probably related to the secretion of different kinds of plasma proteins. The cytoplasmic organelles involved in other hepatic functions develop later: lysosomes from day 15, peroxysomes, glycogen rosettes and smooth endoplasmic reticulum still later. However, the morphological differentiation of bile canaliculi begins from day 12.